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Gareth Bale aims to boost Tottenham's Champions League hopes at the expense of local rivals Arsenal this Sunday.

By Tim Oscroft

Last Updated: 03/03/13 3:22pm

Gareth Bale: The in-form Welshman wants to overturn defeat at Arsenal last November

Spurs are four points ahead of the Gunners and two places above in third as the two prepare to face each other at White Hart Lane.

The reverse fixture at the Emirates Stadium in November was going well for Spurs until Emmanuel Adebayor was sent off shortly after giving his side the lead in the 10th minute.

Arsenal romped to a 5-2 win, with Bale grabbing Spurs' other goal, and the Welshman is determined turn the tables this time around.

"It's one we want to win," said Bale. "We started well last time and the sending-off was a problem. We want to rectify that score now and hopefully get the three points.

"We go into the game full of confidence, looking for three points to boost our hopes of getting into the Champions League.

"It's massive. We know how big it is - not just for us but for the fans."

The 23-year-old accepts that his rich vein of form, which has seen him score nine goals in his last seven outings for club and country, may see him attract even closer attention from opposition defenders.

"I'm starting to get used to that now. It inspires me to keep going," added the Southampton academy graduate.

"I'm obviously causing problems if they have to keep taking me down."

Spurs coach Les Ferdinand believes that Spurs' defeat at Arsenal almost exactly a year ago was the catalyst that saw them fail to seal a top-three finish as their bitter rivals overhauled them and took what proved to be the final UEFA Champions League place due to Chelsea winning the European crown.